TRANSFER GOSSIP: Arsenal will FINALLY offload outcast Nicolas Pepe, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ‘never had any desire’ to leave Napoli this summer, while ex-Liverpool transfer guru Michael Edwards is set to return to the game

The 2023 summer transfer window may be a thing of the past as far as Premier League clubs are concerned, but several top stars are still on the hunt for new teams, while teams in Greece, Qatar and Turkey can still sign players.

Davinson Sánchez, Tanguy Ndombele and Eric Bailly have all moved away from the Premier League since the deadline, and more out-of-favor players will hope to follow in their push for more mainstream first-team football.

One of the biggest stories in recent weeks has been Mohamed Salah’s future at Liverpool amid interest from Al-Ittihad, who were rejected an initial £150 million bid. However, the Reds will have breathed a sigh of relief as Saudi Arabia’s deadline day passed on Thursday, meaning Liverpool deflected interest from Al-Ittihad – at least until the window opens again.

Meanwhile, there are still a handful of free agents, including Jesse Lingard and David de Gea, who have yet to find a new home.

Mail Sport takes a look at the latest transfer gossip on Friday morning.

It looks like Arsenal outcast Nicolas Pepe can finally secure a departure from the club

Arsenal outcast Nicolas Pepe is about to complete the move to Turkish side Trabzonspor on Friday. The winger has had a bleak time in North London since his then club record £72million fee in 2019 and was loaned out to Nice last season. He signs a short-term contract until next summer, after receiving his medical this morning. (Fabrizio Romano)

Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is in the running to take over as Lyon manager. The Spaniard has been out of work since walking away from Wolves on the eve of the season and is being considered alongside current Lille boss Paulo Fonseca. (Air sports)

Andre Onana has committed to just one match of a Cameroon return but has left an olive branch for more matches. Onana retired from international duty last December after an argument with head coach Rigobert Song over tactics, but has retired for next week’s AFCON qualifier against Burundi. If they qualify for the tournament, he will have further talks about a longer-term commitment. (The Athletics)

Saudi champions Al-Ittihad believe their push to sign Mohamed Salah will only be halted after the Egyptian star stayed at Liverpool as the transfer window now closed. The Reds turned down a £150 million bid for their talisman, with the Saudi side also willing to pay the 31-year-old an annual salary of £100 million after tax for three years. (Mailsport)

Fulham hopes to sign a new contract with midfielder Harrison Reed in the coming weeks. The midfielder was the subject of interest from Wolves last summer, but the Cottagers turned down a £3 million offer. Reed is currently paid around £30,000 a week and would like an improvement on those terms. (Evening standard)

Highly regarded former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards returns to the sport in a new role. Edwards – who left Anfield last summer – will launch an advisory service alongside the club’s former research director Ian Graham. They will provide advice and experience to owner groups and teams and aim to improve performance on and off the pitch. (The athletics).

Former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is in the running to take over at faltering Ligue 1 club Lyon

Former Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards (left) also looks set to return to the game

According to his agent, Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has never had any interest in leaving the club this summer. The 22-year-old was crucial as the Italian side won their first Serie A title since 1990 last season and the Georgian’s agent insisted that ‘we never discussed wanting to change clubs’. (CalcioNapoli24)

Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe is in talks to join Real Betis. The defender – who has struggled with injuries in recent years – has also spoken to Premier League newcomers Luton Town and Sheffield United this summer. (Mailsport)

Promising young Mexican attacking midfielder Marcelo Flores is preparing to leave Arsenal. Flores is expected to sign a four-year contract with Mexican giant Tigres after not playing during his time with the Gunners. (Fabrizio Romano)

Jesse Lingard has stepped up his efforts to find a new club after playing in West Ham’s behind-closed friendly against Ipswich on Thursday. The former Man United young man enjoyed a brilliant loan spell at the Hammers during the second half of the 2020/21 season and is eager to get his career back on track. (Mailsport)

Napoli’s agent Khvicha Kvaratskhelia insisted his client had no desire to leave Napoli